Why Paint?

As an artist, Benjamin Vanderwerff is constantly striving to find his own voice and techniques through his passion for painting. He has been heavily influenced by traditional paintings from the Renaissance, the American plein air movement, and Romanticism, and most important the american graffiti movement. By blending these various styles and techniques, he has developed a unique approach to creating his art. This approach is characterized by his mastery of color and mood, detailed and movement focused art that is constantly focused on evolving and changing.

Nature is the central theme in Benjamin's work, and he often focuses on the elements of lighting and texture to create intricate and expressive compositions. While his artwork may be visually abrasive/over stimulating, the message and subject matter are simply an expression of his perception of the world and the complexity of life we interact through. Moreover it leans into concepts of religous selfawareness, the connection of all things in life and the true complexity in the ways it can be precieved.

Benjamin Vanderwerff's work is a testament to his dedication to his craft and his ability to blend traditional and contemporary techniques with abstract and recognizable imagrey to create something truly unique and compelling.

History

Benjamin Vanderwerff is a formally and informally trained artist with a diverse range of skills and expertise in 2D and 3D art applications across various media and styles. He has a strong foundation in drawing, having filled sketchbooks with his creations since the age of three. After receiving a degree in Graphic Design from Pacific Northwest College of Art and Edmond's Community College, he continued to pursue his passion for art by completing a three-year apprenticeship in the use of GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) as well as wood and metals to create functional art pieces such as countertops, sinks, furniture, fireplace surrounds, and water features.

Currently, Benjamin resides in Baja Mexico, within the next 2 years the plan will be to move back to the US and explore the country both artistically and as a way of seeing where to live.